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Senate Democrats pushed ahead with President Barack Obama’s vision of health reform Saturday night – but at the same time, exposed significant divides in the party that make it all but impossible to complete work on a plan by year’s end.

Democrats voted strictly along party lines, 60 to 39, to send an $848 billion health care bill to the floor after Thanksgiving, but not before a clutch of moderates served notice that they couldn’t back the bill in its current form.

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs's statement on the vote:

“The President is gratified that the Senate has acted to begin consideration of health insurance reform legislation. Tonight’s historic vote brings us one step closer to ending insurance company abuses, reining in spiraling health care costs, providing stability and security to those with health insurance, and extending quality health coverage to those who lack it. The President looks forward to a thorough and productive debate.”

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After an afternoon of golf at Andrews Air Force Base, POTUS made a quick stop at the White House before heading out again at 6 p.m,. for what pool is told is a birthday dinner for senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, at her condo in Georgetown. The rest of the first family will also be arriving separately for the b’day bash. (7:02 p.m.).

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Incoming White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer just posted a blog item comparing health reform legislation to the Medicare prescription drug benefit passed under Republicans. For instance, he writes, the drug benefit increased the deficit by $395 billion while the reform cuts the deficit by $130 billion:

“Opponents of health insurance reform have spent hours on the Senate floor today attacking the Senate's efforts to provide stability and security for those with insurance, affordable coverage for those without, and lower costs for families, small businesses and the government. To provide a little perspective on these attacks, let’s compare today's legislation with the 2003 Medicare Part D effort, which many of these same critics supported.” –Chris Frates (4:35 p.m.).

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As the Senate begins its debate on Obama’s top legislative priority, the president is at Andrews Air Force Base for a Saturday golf game. So far no word on who’s on the links with the golfer-in-chief. (1:20 p.m.) .

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President Obama saved one last message from his eight-day trip to Asia, telling Americans that he “will go anywhere” in pursuit of economic growth and jobs.

“Hi. I’m recording this message from Seoul, South Korea, as I finish up my first presidential trip to Asia,” Obama begins his weekly radio and internet address. “As we emerge from the worst recession in generations, there is nothing more important than to do everything we can to get our economy moving again and put Americans back to work, and I will go anywhere to pursue that goal.”